By Gareth James

Jordan Hart was just edged out in a close battle in her first competition of the year in Basel.

The 26-year-old from Haverfordwest was beaten 21-19, 21-14 by Israel’s Ksenia Polikarpova at the Yonex Swiss Open.

Hart lost out after 40 minutes in the opening round of the $140,000 HSBC BWF World Tour Super 300 tournament.

https://twitter.com/jordanjanehart/status/1367016406525558788

 

Polikarpova, ranked two places above Hart in the world rankings at 61, was born in St Petersburg but now competes for Israel.

Hart was making her competitive bow for the year having made history last October when becoming the first Welsh woman to reach the second round of a Super 750 tournament after beating Germany’s Miranda Wilson.